Community: HFC, Skate with the Canes

HFC ‘08
This Sunday we will celebrate the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) initiative. The NHL had asked us all to celebrate our HFC nights in the month of October, but with only two home games that were already “themed” (opening night and black jersey debut), we wanted to make sure that we were able to fully promote HFC and the Hurricanes local involvement with cancer organizations.

We are lucky that we will be able to highlight nine local agencies: Komen for the Cure (Triangle), American Cancer Society, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Jimmy V Foundation, St. Baldrick’s, I’m Too Young for this (i2y), CancerCenters of North Carolina, DukeHospital and the NC Lung Partnership.

We also have some special people lined up in-game as well. Our siren sounder will be Sandy Oehler, a lung cancer survivor who now works for the NC Lung Partnership and is the head of Raleigh’s Free to Breathe 5k (held next weekend). The Star Spangled Banner will be sung by a 12-year-old boy who has raised over $20,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. There will also be other in-game videos, PSAs and presentations…including Pete Friesen presenting a very nice check to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society for his pre-season Friesen 5k.

A side note, the color this year is lavender…which I did not know is the color for general cancer awareness…and since HFC was set-up to help fight all cancers, this is the perfect color.

Also, the Hockey Fights Cancer Hats this year are cool (available at the Eye with a portion of each sale going to HFC). They are simply the locker room hat with the HFC patch on the side. I liked last year’s hat, but I am not tough enough to get away with wearing a pink hat too often…it works for some people…but I was told I am not one of them.

Skate with the Canes
Tickets for our annual fundraiser will go on-sale Monday and Tuesday for this popular event. I have received several questions and I will do my best to answer them below.

What time does the box office open?The Time Warner Cable Box Office at the RBC Center opens at 10 a.m both Monday and Tueday

Why is the event on a weekday?
For the first time in a few years the event will not be on a weekend. We tried very hard to find a weekend date…however, when you compare the calendar for building availability with the player’s travel schedules, there were no weekend options (there were only two week day options, and one was a player’s day off…their only one for that month). It is great that our building is booked as much as it is…and I am sure the weekday event will be as popular as the weekend.

What time is the event?
The event is slated to last from 6:00PM to 8:30PM (as long as practice ends on time). If practice delays the start, the time will remain long enough to allow 40 minutes at each of the three stations.

How much money does the event raise?
Last year the event raised just over $28,500. This year we are hoping to raise over $37,000…all of which will be donated to local children’s organizations within the year.

Do I need my own skates?
No, we will have rental skates available. However, to ensure the best fit (and sharpening) it is always good to have your own skates

How are the groups broken up?
The three groups are broken up when you purchase your tickets. Families will not be broken into different groups. If you would like to travel through with friends, time of purchase is important.

Why do we not sell more tickets?
Though the primary focus of the event is a fundraiser, we also want everyone to leave with an enjoyable experience. We feel that 600 attendees is the most we can accommodate while still allowing an appropriate amount of time at each of the three stations.

Why do we not do the event more often?
See the answer to “Why is the event on a weekday”.

If you have other questions, please feel free to call me at 919.861.5467. Your feedback is appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who has attended Skate with the Canes in the past. I am sure this event will continue to be a fan-favorite and our Kids ‘N Community Foundation greatly appreciates the support provided by the sale of tickets for this event. Thanks again!